Arthur William Becker

Bill Becker, owner of the Children’s Bootery, died peacefully on February 14, 2017, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Bill was born in Rochester, New York on February 12, 1926. He served as a Naval officer during World War II and Korea and was a graduate of Northwestern University. After World War II, Bill moved to Los Angeles, where he met Margaret McLoughlin. The two were married on January 1, 1949. They had four children, Stephan, Martin, Patricia, and Nancy as well as two grandchildren, Scott and James.

In 1954, the couple moved to Las Vegas where they operated the Children’s Bootery shoe store. Margaret died in 1980. In 1984, Bill married Colleen Cody Knapton. During his twenty-year marriage with Colleen, Bill became very close with Colleen’s daughters, Debbie Kijima and Judy Miles as well as Colleen’s grandchildren; Timothy, Thomas, Katie, Amy and Cody and their children. Colleen passed away in 2004.

In addition to his wives, Bill was preceded in death by his son Stephan Gordon Becker.

Bill loved telling stories about “old” Las Vegas. He remembered all of his customers when he operated the Bootery and so enjoyed it when he got to fit a second generation with a first pair of Buster Browns. He and Margaret had a donation box at the Bootery where customers left their old shoes when the children got new ones. Bill and Margaret would polish the shoes and donate them to charity, ensuring that the next owner felt like they received new shoes.

Bill also loved “the ponies.” His fondness for horse racing remained, where, even at 91, you could find him with his “younger cronies” at the race and sports book on weekends.

Finally, Bill loved his family. His pride in their accomplishments knew no boundaries.

He is survived by Martin and Kathie Becker; Patricia Becker and Steve DuCharme; Nancy Becker; Debbie and Steven Kijima; Judi Miles; Scott Becker; James Wilson; Katy and Rob Loughney; Amy and Blaiz Grubic, Cody and Becca Geurin; brother and sister-in-law, David and Delores Becker; nephews and nieces, Lee and Monica Becker; Salli Becker; Jason Becker; and numerous great grandchildren, grand and great nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life service will be held 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 16, 2017 at the Spanish Oaks Clubhouse, 2201 Spanish Oaks Drive with a reception immediately following the service.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Global Gaming

Women Charitable Education Fund, 6841 S. Eastern Ave, Suite 104, Las Vegas Nevada 89119;

or Soroptimist of Metropolitan Las Vegas, P.O. Box 27732, Las Vegas Nevada 89126.